The Bombay High Court has refused to grant bail to a watchman accused of sexually assaulting his 5-year-old step-granddaughter. The court took note of the “gravity of the offence” and citied possibility of pressuring the victim, considering the proximity of relationship between the man and victim’s grandmother.
The watchman and the victim’s grandmother married around the beginning of 2023 and started residing with her in her house in suburban Mumbai. The victim’s mother used to go out for work and used to leave the victim and younger son at her mother’s house. The grandmother used to work as a housemaid and so the children were essentially in the care of the accused at his workplace, the prosecution alleged.
On August 31, 2023, the girl complained of pain while passing urine but did not reveal anything. She voiced same complaint for subsequent days and then revealed the incidents. The mother then lodged FIR on September 4, 2023.
The watchman took defense that he had been falsely implicated in the case.
The prosecution Pointed out the serious nature of the offence and said that there were chances of him pressuring the victim if let out on bail.
Justice Milind Jadhav observed that the victim is undergoing psychiatric counselling due to the emotional impact of the incident.
“The victim has suffered immensely and she has been taken to a psychiatrist and is undergoing counselling. This shows that the victim is still in trauma,” Justice Jadhav said.
While dismissing the bail plea, the judge added: “The judge added: “The allegations against the Applicant are extremely serious and the possibility of him pressuring the victim’s grandmother who is his wife cannot be ruled out considering the gravity of the offence and the proximity of the relationship between the accused and with grandmother of the victim.”
